The village was in a state of confusion. A short while later, a large ship had descended from the sky. The ship, so large that it could be easily mistaken for a cloud, dropped its anchor on the field in the village.
Numerous dragons flew out of it.
“Sister, what’s happening?” asked her younger brothers and sisters.
“Let’s get in the house,” urged Siesta, hiding her fear.
Inside the house, her parents were looking out the windows with troubled expressions.
“Isn’t that Albion's fleet?” her father said, looking at the ship anchored in the field.
“Could it be … A war?”
Her father shook his head.
“That’s not possible. We have a non-aggression treaty with Albion. The lord proclaimed it recently.”
“Then why is the sky full of sinking ships?”
The dragons flying above the ship headed towards the village. Her father grasped his wife and stepped away from the window. With loud cries, the dragons descended upon the village and set the houses on fire.
Her mother screamed. The house was alight and the glass from the windows scattered everywhere. The village was saturated in the blazing flames, roaring of the dragons and the shrieking of the people. Carrying her unconscious mother, the father turned to Siesta, who was shaking.
“Siesta! Take your siblings and run to the forest!”
Straddling a large wind dragon, a smile appeared on Wardes’ face as he trampled on his home country. The dragoons under his command rode fire dragons. A wind dragon cannot match a fire dragon in power, but surpasses a fire dragon in speed. He had chosen the wind dragon solely because he was commanding. To clear the path for the main force, Wardes mercilessly set the village on fire. In the background, soldiers were dropping down one by one with ropes from the Lexington. The field was an excellent strategic foothold for the invading troops.
From the direction of the field, dozens of the neighboring lord’s troops were charging forward. The Tristainian troops could pose a significant threat to the soldiers disembarking onto the field. Wardes signaled his underlings to crush the small opposition force. A barrage of fire magic flew from the dragons but still, the Tristainians ferociously charged forward. The reckless force was utterly devastated by the dragon’s flames.
It was past noon. Reports of the events came bursting in the conference room.
“The lord of Tarbes has died in battle!”
“The scout sent to investigate the dragoons has not returned!”
“We still haven’t received a reply from Albion regarding our enquiries!”
Meaningless discussions repeated themselves in the conference room.
“We should request aid from Germania!”
“Aggravating the matter like that would…”
“How about attacking them with our whole dragoon force?”
“Round up the remaining ships! All of them! No matter how old or small!”
“Let’s dispatch a special envoy! Attacking them will only give them an excuse to engage in a total war!”
The meeting could not reach an agreement. Mazarini was having difficulty coming to a conclusion himself. He was still hoping for a way to settle things diplomatically.
Amongst the heated debate, Henrietta looked at the wind ruby she wore on her ring finger. It was a memento from Wales. She was reminded of the man’s face she entrusted herself to.
Did I not vow upon this ring back then?
If my dear Wales has courageously died then… I too should live courageously.
“Tarbes is up in flames!”
She was surprised at her own voice but quickly regained her composure. With a deep breath, she stood up. Everyone looked at her. Henrietta spoke in a trembling voice.
“Aren’t you all ashamed of yourselves?”
“Princess?”
“Our lands are being captured by enemies. There are things we need to do before bickering about alliances and special envoys, isn’t there?”
“But… princess… It’s just some tension caused by a misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding? How can you still say that? Sinking a ship during a cannon salute is a bit extreme isn’t it?”
“We have signed a non-aggression treaty. It was an accident.”
“And that treaty is broken as easily as paper. They had no intention of keeping that treaty. It was just a lie to gain time. Albion’s actions clearly show that they have intention to war.”
“But…”
Henrietta hit the table and started yelling.
“The blood of our people is being spilled while we are doing this! Is it not the duty of nobles to protect them? For what reason do we bear royal and noble names? Have they not let us reign over them so we can protect them in times of need like this?”
Everyone was speechless. Henrietta continued with a cold voice.
“You’re all scared, aren’t you? Albion is a large country after all. If we counterattack our chances of winning are slim. Is it because you think you will be held responsible as one of the leaders of the counter attack after the battle is lost? You all plan to cower here to lengthen your lives?”
“Princess,” interjected Mazarini.
“However,” Henrietta continued.
“I will ride forth. You can continue your meeting here.”
Henrietta burst out of the conference room. Mazarini and numerous nobles tried to hold her back.
“Princess! You should rest before your wedding!”
“Ugh! It’s so hard to run in this!”
Henrietta tore her wedding dress so that it was above her knees and threw the torn piece at Mazarini’s face.
“Perhaps you can go get married.”
“My carriage and my guards! Come!” she yelled when she reached the courtyard.
Her carriage was brought, led by the holy beasts, unicorns.
The remaining magical defense squad in the courtyard assembled at once on Henrietta’s call.
She unfastened one unicorn and straddled it.
“I shall command the troops! Regiments, assemble!”
Aware of the situation, every soldier saluted simultaneously.
Henrietta hit the unicorn’s stomach.
The unicorn magnificently raised its hooves up high under the bright sun and set off.
“Follow the princess!” cried the soldiers while following Henrietta, mounted on the beasts.
“Follow! A delay brings shame to the family name!”
The nobles in the courtyard dashed out. The word spread through the regiments scattered about the town.
Watching this absent mindedly, Mazarini looked up at the skies.
“I knew we would go to war with Albion someday, despite my efforts, but… our country is not prepared.”
He was not concerned about his own life. He bore the worries of his country in his own way, and for the sake of the people, he had made his decision. Even if it meant a small sacrifice, he didn’t want to engage in a lost battle.
But, it was as the princess said. His efforts and devotion to diplomacy had been boiled away. Of what use is clinging to it? There are things to be taken care of first.
One of the high-class nobles whispered in Mazarini’s ear.
“Cardinal, about the special envoy…”
Mazarini slapped the nobles face with his cap. He coiled the torn piece from the wedding dress, which Henrietta had thrown at him, on his head.
“All of you! To your horses! If we let the princess go alone we will be forever cast in shame!”
Chapter Ten: The Void
News of the declaration of war had reached the Tristain Academy of Magic the following day. Contact had been delayed due to the chaos in the palace.
Louise, along with Saito, were waiting at the entrance of the Academy of Magic for a carriage from the palace. The carriage was to take them to Germania. However, only a breathless messenger arrived at the academy that hazy morning.